Welcome to the FCPC Choirs Page

Mission

The Choirs at First Central Presbyterian Church support and enhance the weekly and special worship services of the congregation through the presentation of traditional sacred music.

Sanctuary Choir

The Sanctuary Choir, for high school students and adults, meets on Wednesday evenings for rehearsal and sings for the 11:00 a.m. worship service, as well as during other special services during the year.

Barbara Perkins Choir Director

Barbara Perkins served as the choral director for Cooper High School for sixteen years before accepting her present position of fine arts program officer for the Abilene Independent School District.  She is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (Bachelor/piano performance and music education major) and Texas Tech University (Master of Music Education).  She studied choral conducting under Donald Bailey and Donald Neuen. Barbara Perkins has served as the choral director for the First Central Presbyterian Church of Abilene since 1992.

Dr. Larry Wolz Organist

Dr. Larry Wolz is Professor of Music History and Literature as well as Vocal Pedagogy at Hardin-Simmons University.  Dr. Wolz is also head of the department of Music History and Literature, and has been on the faculty at Hardin-Simmons since 1978.  A member of both the Forth Worth and Big Country chapters of the American Guild of Organists, Dr. Wolz earned the Guild’s Service Playing Certificate in 1986.  As an active member of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, he is the book review editor for the Society’s journal, The Hymn.  An accomplished writer and author, Dr. Wolz has composed and published arrangements for the organ, as well as numerous scholarly articles concerning church music.  Dr. Wolz has served as the organist for the First Central Presbyterian Church of Abilene since 1981.

Special Services

Special Services that feature enhanced musical performances include Music Sunday in February, Maundy Thursday, Advent, and Christmas Eve.

Recent special services have included traditional master works as well as modern arrangements of religious music such as Dubois’ “Seven Last Words of Christ,” and Vivaldi's "Gloria" in 2004.

Scholarship Program

The Sanctuary Choir maintains a scholarship program for performance major students at area colleges.  The church presently offers four scholarships to students who perform with the choir and also sing as a quartet at the 8:30 a.m. service.

New Members

The Sanctuary Choir invites members of all ages, including youth, to join and participate.  Auditions and musical attainments are not required.  Only a desire to perform traditional sacred music which has inspired millions over the centuries is needed.  The staff and the other professional musicians are as courteous and helpful as they are talented.  Our choir has accomplished much under the direction of Barbara Perkins, but it will require greater depth of membership for it to sustain its excellence of performance.  Those interested in singing with the choir may contact Barbara Perkins at 692-1809 or Berta Farmer at 692-7212.  

Joy Seekers

The Joy Seekers is a choir for kindergarten through 5th grade.  Music is an important part of Wednesday evening programming for children. Opportunities to share music in worship and special events are provided throughout the year.

For more information about the Joy Seekers, please contact Claudia Walker at 698-4104.

Handbells

Do you enjoy music, and making music, but don’t really like to sing?  We have a place for you!

The First Central Presbyterian Church is seeking persons interested in contributing musically and spiritually to the worship services through participation in a handbell choir.  If you want to ring with joy, contact Carol McClellan through the church office.

For more information about any of the choirs at First Central Presbyterian church, email info@fcpc.net or call the Church Office at 325-677-3501.